After Sean's foray into early 6x6 SLRs, I've been keeping an eye out for a nice set myself. My usual 6x6 is a
Yashica Mat, but it lacks the wideness I prefer. While a Mamiya C330 might suffice, they are rather large, heavy, and still quite expensive. Seeing this
Kalimar Six Sixty, ready equipped with a 52mm wide angle, and packaged with an 80mm
f2.8 as well, I thought a new purchase was in order.
The 52mm at
f3.5 is as fast as the 'Mat, so no loss there. It is however a very different form factor, and being an SLR with a 'preset' aperture lens (no interlock with shutter to stop down on trip), it might take some getting used to.
Overall the camera is in tremendous condition, with a nice bright screen, and an auto-return mirror. As well as lens preset, it has two other curious functions; a manual 'Set' button to reset film counter, and slow-speed shutter dial for speeds less than 1/25, effectively giving it two shutter speed dials - one for above 1/25s to 1/500, and one below - from 1/25 down to 1/5s.
Changing the threaded lenses is easier than I thought it would. Though there are a few specs of dust and a few stiff levers, I will give it a good clean, and a light lube, and run my new favorite color film -
Ektar - through and see what its HC lens produces. I love that off gray body color... See ya! Skj.
